Well, I hope I am the next UPS driver hired as a pilot! By the time I am eligible I will have invested 15 yrs with UPS from package handler, car wash, to driver. I spent 4 yrs prior to that as a controller in the Navy. Went to college while I was part timer with degree in Aviation. Only when I started making decent money driving did I start flying lessons. So I am flying the wings off my Cessna 150 aquiring ratings and taking a leap in 3 yrs at 37 to build twin turbine time. The problem is I have a wife and kids so I need decent pay during transition. I have a job waiting with a local frieght company but not great $$. I know it won't be 75K like I am use to as a driver but...my fellow pilot friends say it is a required step.

Open to suggestions.

Sscottky72

The minimums requirements are what you need to be looking at. See what UPS wants and then tailor your decisions to meeting those requirements.

Most civilian guys start with flight instructing, flying checks, etc. (I consider you civilian as far as your flight experience even though you spent time in the mil.) Then they get hired at a regional airline and spend some time there building the magic 1000 hours of PIC time. After that all bets are off, many go to majors, some go to charter outfits, other regionals, fractionals, etc.

By the way, the job with a freighter company you mentioned is that a future flying job?

Here is what I'd have done...I don't think you should go the normal route of flight instructing in order to build time for the regionals - mainly because you’re starting your flying career kind of late AND also because of the time you’ve spent at UPS so far (which I think WILL help you later during your interview).
You need to “accelerate” your progression somehow. Right now you need to fly your butt off until you get all the ratings and until you get hired at ANY regional that will hire you, some have very low minimums. Don't be picky, take the one which calls you first.LINK

As soon as you get hired with one, let's say TSA fly as much as you can so you build up your multi/total time and then jump the ship to the regional where you'll upgrade the fastest, let's say Colgan. I know, you're not going to be loyal at this point but that's ok because you already proved you can be very loyal be working at UPS all those years; right now you need to be little selfish and get your flight time.

Some other places that come to mind is Gulfstream Aviation, Pinnacle, etc. Remember, your quality of life will suck!!! but you’ll be a captain there before you know it and that is THE ONLY thing that should matter (besides your family of course )

If I were you, I’d try to get some student loans, or maybe even loan some money from family members and focus on flying. When you get hired at a small regional, let's say Colgan, it’ll probably be about a year or so before you upgrade. Then it’ll take you year and a half or so to build your 1000 hours of turbine pic time. As soon as you have 1000+ hours start applying with Gemini, Atlas, Kalitta, World, or anyone who flies heavies. You might luck out but you might have to wait for a while before that happens, however right now you need the transoceanic experience just to apply with UPS.

Hopefully this requirement will be gone in the near future but it would be easier for you to get an interview with that kind of experience.

Sorry about the lengthy reply, but basically I am trying to tell you that even if you focus on flying 110%, it’ll be years before you can apply. It can be done however, and if you and your family are willing to sacrifice for a while, focus on getting the 1000 turbine pic and on the heavy experience. Ideally you would wanna build pic time AND heavy time all at the same time, but unless you know someone at the smaller cargo outfits, it’s probably not gonna happen.

Either way, good luck to you!